Musculoskeletal Research Projects

Effects of shock-absorbing insoles on joint loading and symptoms in knee osteoarthritis

Effects of laterally-wedged insoles on symptoms and disease progression in knee osteoarthritis

Role of musculoskeletal biomechanical factors in cartilage loss in those who undergo arthroscopic partial medial menisectomy

Improving exercise prescription for postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.

Falls prevention and risk assessment in the acute hospital

Effects of shock-absorbing insoles on joint loading and symptoms in knee osteoarthritis

Investigators

Dr Mark Creaby, Prof Kim Bennell, Dr Rana Hinman, Mr Tim Wrigley

Summary
Knee osteoarthritis is a major public health problem. As there is no cure, treatments to alleviate symptoms and reduce the likelihood of the disease progressing are needed. During walking and other everyday weight-bearing activities, large forces act on the knee. These forces have the potential to cause pain and damage knee structures, such as cartilage and the underlying bone. Shock absorbing insoles worn inside the shoes have the potential to reduce some of the impact loads acting on the knee during walking, but evidence is required to confirm their potential. The purpose of our research in this area is to evaluate the effects of various insole designs upon knee loading during walking, and to assess their medium-term effect upon symptoms in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.

Funding Source
Internal funding

Effects of laterally-wedged insoles on symptoms and disease progression in knee osteoarthritis

Investigators 

Prof Kim Bennell, Dr Rana Hinman, Mr Tim Wrigley, Prof Flavia Cicuttini, Mr Craig Payne, Prof Anthony Harris

Summary
As there is presently no cure for knee osteoarthritis, strategies that slow progression of the disease will reduce the personal and societal burden of arthritis. Most research has focussed on drug therapies, which are effective in reducing pain and disability but have side effects and are expensive. Insoles worn inside the shoes are a simple, cheap, self-administered intervention with the potential to slow disease progression in certain patients, in addition to managing symptoms. This randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial aims to see whether 12 months of wearing insoles can lead to improvements in knee pain and function and slow disease progression in 200 people with knee osteoarthritis.   It will use state-of-the-art technology, magnetic resonance imaging, to measure changes in the amount of knee cartilage. A second aim of the project is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.

Funding Source
NHMRC Project Grant #350297 2005-2008, ANZ Charitable Trusts

Top

Role of musculoskeletal biomechanical factors in cartilage loss in those who undergo arthroscopic partial medial menisectomy

Investigators 

Prof Flavia Cicuttini, Dr David Lloyd, Prof Kim Bennell, Mr Tim Wrigley, Prof Gwidon Stachowiak, A/Prof Andrew Forbes

Summary
People who undergo an arthroscopic partial medial menisectomy lose more knee joint cartilage in the years following surgery and are more likely to develop osteoarthritis in the longer-term. This multisite project being conducted in Melbourne and Perth will follow 180 people who have undergone this procedure over 2 years to see whether certain musculoskeletal and biomechanical factors can predict who loses more cartilage. MRI scans will be taken at baseline (3 months after surgery) and again at 2 years to measure changes in knee cartilage.   Laboratory measurements of walking patterns, muscle strength and lower limb alignment will be taken. If we can identify factors that predict loss of cartilage, it may be possible to design rehabilitation strategies to address these factors and reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in this patient population.

Funding Source
NHMRC Project Grant #334151 2005-2008

Top

'Bones For Life'

Improving exercise prescription for postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis.

Investigators
Prof Kim Bennell, Dr Bernadette Matthews, Karen Bolton, Elin Wee, Prof John Wark

Summary
Osteoporotic related hip fractures are common in Australia and have serious implications for mortality, morbidity and cost. This randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether a 12 month exercise program together with adequate calcium intake, is effective in reducing bone loss and improving falls risk factors in postmenopausal women at risk of sustaining an osteoporotic fracture. Postmenopausal women with low bone density will be randomised to either an exercise or control group and measured before and after the intervention. The results of this study have implications for directing exercise guidelines and promoting the important role of safe physical activity in this population.

FundingSource
Swisse Vitamins Pty Ltd, YMCA Victoria

Top

Falls prevention and risk assessment in the acute hospital

Investigators
Willeke Walsh, Prof Kim Bennell, Prof Keith Hill, A/Prof Terry Haines

Summary
Falls are a serious health issue which affect the faller, their families/carers and health care providers. With an increasing elderly population the physical, psychological and economic cost of falls has the potential to rise considerably. Falls can occur in hospitals and limited research has been conducted in this area, especially in the acute setting. Falls prevention is ideal and best addressed in a multifactorial manner. This project involves the design of a falls assessment tool appropriate to the acute setting. The tool will identify particular patient specific risk factors, as well as provide a framework from which appropriate strategies to decrease the potential outcomes of falls can be determined. Testing of predictive validity and inter- and intra- rater reliability will be completed on a typical acute hospital population

Funding Source
Victorian Department of Human Services Aged Care Division

Top